Turjaci: Archaeology and Tradition

Turjaci brings together archaeological connections spanning several eras, a regional festival tradition, and a link to the Sinjska alka. If you are planning a stay, you can start by considering three different questions: Which historical traces interest you, what role does the Feast of St. Anthony play during your travel dates, and how can Turjaci be located geographically?

Turjaci between Sinj and Trilj

Turjaci is four kilometres from Sinj, on the southwestern edge of the Sinjsko polje and along the road connecting Sinj and Trilj. The distance to Sinj is a concrete point of reference when choosing a hotel; the location on the edge of the plain, by contrast, describes its landscape setting. At the same time, the road mentioned places Turjaci on the route between Sinj and Trilj. If you are looking for a hotel in Turjaci, you can decide in advance whether this location suits your travel plans.

Archaeological traces from different eras

Bekanova gradina dates from the Late Bronze Age and Early Iron Age. Fragments of ceramic vessels found there are kept at the Museum of the Cetina Region. Crkvin in Turjaci, by contrast, comprises the remains of a larger building dating from antiquity and the Late Middle Ages. Turjački podi is a prehistoric archaeological landscape; finds from the site include flint flakes and fragments of prehistoric pottery. These three references differ both in their dates and in the types of evidence mentioned: Bekanova gradina is associated with ceramic vessel fragments, Crkvin with building remains, and Turjački podi with a landscape and finds of flint and pottery.

Radašuša is also located in the vicinity of Turjaci. It is a prehistoric fortified hillfort on the northern edge of the Turjački podi plateau. It lies south of the hamlet of Klarić-Kukuz, on the boundary between Brnaze and Turjaci. This makes it possible to distinguish this archaeological site geographically from the sites in Turjaci.

The Feast of St. Anthony and the pilgrimage tradition

On 13 June, the Feast of St. Anthony of Padua in Turjaci includes a procession and a folk festival. The feast is associated with a traditional pilgrimage: pilgrims come from across the Cetina Region, many of them on foot. The procession and folk festival give the celebration different emphases, while the pilgrims’ places of origin illustrate its regional significance. If you would like to plan your stay around the feast, check the date for your intended travel period in advance.

Turjačka pržina and the Sinjska alka

Another, different link to the Sinjska alka is the high-quality turjačka pržina. It is used during preparations and the festive competition on the Sinjska alka track. Unlike the archaeological connections, the focus here is on the use of a product, which makes the link to the alka concrete.

Discover more destinations: Bajagic, Radošić, Glavice, Obrovac Sinjski, Čitluk, Brnaze, Sinj.

Return to the regional travel overview: Općina Sinj.